Fresh Pineapple Why to eat

Fresh Pineapple
Why to eat, How to choose, How to cut ‘em up and eat ‘em!
By Crystal Miller

We love to buy fresh pineapples. The taste is so delicious especially when compared to canned pineapple. But I serve my family fresh pineapple for more reasons than just the fresh sweet taste. They are incredibly nutritious!

One of the best health benefits you will get from eating fresh pineapple is the enzyme bromelain. This is a power packed enzyme. If you are dealing with digestive issues then you may find adding fresh pineapple to your diet helps with this. Bromelain works by breaking down the amino acid bonds found in protein making them easier to digest. Just remember that your pineapple must be fresh in order to get this benefit. Bromelain is almost entirely destroyed during the canning process.

Bromelain also helps to reduce swelling and inflammation. If you have a bruise or a sprain you may want to increase the amount of fresh pineapple you eat to help ease the swelling.

Pineapples are also very high in vitamin C. Eating fresh pineapple can help build and repair body tissue and metabolize fats and cholesterol. Vitamin C can help if you have a cold or virus by increasing your body’s ability to fight the bad bacteria.

Now that you know why adding fresh pineapple to a diet is a good idea it is time to learn how to choose one, cut them up and use them!

Pineapple, unlike other fruits, does not get sweeter the longer it sits on your counter. This is due to the fact that natural starch/sugar in the fruit is only taken up into the fruit through the stem at the final stage of ripening while on the tree. So find them as ripe as you can in the store and eat them soon after bringing them home.

To choose pineapples begin by picking one up. It should give just a little bit. Smell it, it should have a nice pineapple smell. Now take a hold of one of the leaves at the top and pull. If it comes out with ease it is ready.

I thought it would be rather complicated to explain how to cut them up so I found this YouTube for you to watch. I viewed several YouTubes on how cut a pineapple and this man does it most similarly to the way we do it at our house. He also gives other good bits of info along the way.

I realize that most people won’t have a problem figuring out how to use a pineapple! Just eating them fresh is the way we do most often. However here is one idea for you. This makes a great breakfast, goes well with a simple lunch or mid-afternoon snack.

Pineapple Banana Smoothie

1 to 2 ripe bananas
¾ to 1 cup of fresh pineapple chunks
¾ cup milk or yogurt
honey to sweeten, but this is optional as both bananas and fresh pineapple are VERY sweet as is

Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth.

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